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Mixed informal gardens with abundant herbaceous borders and flowering shrubs. Lawns and paths lead through mature camellia, magnolia and rhododendron under-planted with vinca ‘major’, white daffodils, trillium etc (this area is attractive, natural and wild, but no longer in flower by June). There are also beautiful views over surrounding fields, woodland and hills, woodland walks, azaleas etc. and a vegetable garden.

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Past Years (2013)

Gardens by Appointment 2013

Gardens Open by Appointment 2013

These gardens are open by appointment in aid of the National Trust for Northern Ireland. Money raised by this scheme will be used to fund projects in National Trust gardens which otherwise might not have been financed. This scheme is in addition to the established Ulster Gardens Scheme of fixed day openings.

Admission to all gardens £3.00

ANTRIM

17 Drumnamallaght Road, Ballymoney, BT53 7QX.

Tel. Mrs Dorothy Brown for an appt. and directions to the garden on 028 2766 2923

APRIL – END SEPTEMBER

11 Sallagh Road, Cairncastle, Ballygally, Larne, BT40 2NE.

From A8 Belfast-Larne Road, turn left on B148 for Cairncastle at new Millbrook roundabout. After approximately four miles, leave B148 at ‘Old Dairy’ (yellow cottage), and fork left on toSallagh Road. House is 0.75 miles on right, below road.

Alternatively: From A2 Coast Road at Ballygally, from rear of Ballygally car park turn left and drive approximately 1.75 miles to T-junction. Turn left again on to B148 and then, shortly after, sharp right on toSallagh Road.

A Plantsman’s garden of one acre (and still expanding), containing a rich variety of rare and unusual herbaceous and woody plants growing on a sloping, partially terraced site. There are four ponds in the garden. Access for wheelchairs limited to patio area. Plants for sale.

Limited parking. Maximum ten visitors.

Tel. Mr & Mrs D Ledsham for appt. 028 2858 3003

MID-APRIL – END OF OCTOBER

2 Old Galgorm Road, Ballymena, BT42 1AL.

On A42 road to Portglenone, half a mile West of Ballymena centre, at junction of Old and New Galgorm Roads. Black wrought iron gates.Two and a half acre town garden with established trees, shrubs and lawns. Alpine sinks, herbaceous plants, annuals, scree and water garden.

Tel. Mrs M Glynn for appt. 028 2564 1459

MAY– SEPTEMBER

BELFAST

177 Malone Road, Belfast, BT9 6TB.

Proceeding out of Belfast, the garden is on the right hand side after the Balmoral traffic lights and before Malone Hill Park. A half acre garden with a marvellous collection of rhododendrons. Good collection of other shrubs and herbaceous plants designed for easy maintenance, pond and bog garden.

Tel. Dr & Mrs S A Hawkins for appt. 028 9068 2274

MAY – JUNE

59 Richmond Park, Stranmillis, Belfast., BT9 5EF.

Travelling from the roundabout at Stranmillis College and going along the Stranmillis Road towards Malone Road, Richmond Park is the second exit on the left. No 59 is on the left hand side. A small, plant packed and interesting city garden combining a vibrant mix of perennials and grasses set within a formal layout that also incorporates trees and shrubs.

Telephone Adrian Walsh for appt. 028 9020 8623

AUGUST – END OCTOBER

DOWN

7 The Woodlands, Warrenpoint, BT34 3WL.

From Newry take the dual carriageway to Warrenpoint roundabout, take first left to Golf Course; 100 yards past golf course entrance turn right; number 7 is facing road on right. The garden is on a slope, terraced with two patios, garden house, ponds, water feature and sitting areas. Informal style with all types of plants including perennials, shrubs, fruit trees (apple and cherry), soft fruit, climbers, vegetables, etc. A small gem. Not suitable for wheelchairs.

Tel. Mrs E Murray for appt. 028 4177 4238

END MAY– AUGUST

77 Magheratimpany Road, Spa, Ballynahinch, BT24 8PA.

South of Ballynahinch A24. 200 yards past the Millbrook Lodge Hotel turn right on to theBallymaglave Road, towards Spa. Turn left on to Magheratimpany Road and No.77 is on the left hand side. Delightful 25 acre garden includes a cottage garden, woodland with shade loving plants and a rock garden. There is a wonderful collection of trees and a wildlife pond. Partially suitable for wheelchairs.

Tel. Dr and Mrs Colin Tindall for appt. 028 9756 2812

MAY– SEPTEMBER

14 Drumnaconnell Road, Saintfield, BT24 7NB.

From Saintfield take the Ballynahinch Road, turn left just past the 30mph sign, left on to the Drumnaconnell Road, second dwelling on the left up a quarter of a mile laneway. A fourteen acre country garden with shrubs, trees, holly wood, birch grove, bluebells etc. Good views over Co Down. All maintained organically.

Tel. Mrs S Taylor for appt. 028 9751 0232

MID–APRIL – SEPTEMBER

7 Mount Charles North, Bessbrook,Newry, BT35 7DW.

The garden is in the delightful 18th century village of Bessbrook.

From Belfast take the A1 for Dublin; take the A27 turn-off for Newry. At the roundabout take the 3rd exit under the bridge (signposted A28Armagh), at the 2nd roundabout take the 2nd exit (signposted A28 Markethill/Armagh), 50 meters turn left on to Kidd’s Road (signposted Craigmore/Bessbrook 2). At Crossroads at Millvale Arms turn right on to B133, after 0.6 miles take first left past Vauxhall Garage, Bessbrook B112; 0.3miles, past the Gospel Hall turn left through the iron gates at railings.This is a connoisseur’s garden with a superb collection of alpines and clematis, cleverly planted with herbaceous plants and shrubs.

Tel. Mr and Mrs W McKelvey for appt. 028 3083 8006

MAY– AUGUST

15 Springdale Court,Kilkeel, BT34 4EY.

From Newcastle direction proceed to traffic lights in the centre of Kilkeel (at the Factory Shop) and turn right. After 0.8 miles turn left on toScrogg Road. If coming into Kilkeel from Rostrevor pass the 30 mph sign. Continue for 0.3miles and turn right on toScrogg Road. Then take 4th left and 1st right in toSpringdale Court.

A small garden of approx. 80 square yards, creatively designed to include a wealth of interesting features. Planting includes perennials, shrubs, trees, apple trees, soft fruit, vegetables and much more. The garden features seating areas, water features, gravel path planted with alpines, etc. The garden is a haven for all kinds of birds, bees, butterflies and insects.

From Belfasttake A7 to Downpatrick. Finnebrogue Road is a sharp left hand turn 3 miles from Crossgar, just after the B2 Ballynahinch Road junction. It links to theA22 Killyleagh/Downpatrick Road, just before theQuoileBridge. Entrance to the Demesne is on the north side of theFinnebrogue Road, marked by a red-brick gate lodge and stone gate pillars. The driveway and surrounding land is in private ownership.The garden of about 1 acre has a woodland setting amidst several buildings of architectural interest in the historic Finnebrogue Demesne. It is a plantswoman’s garden developed over the past 12 years from a neglected overgrown site. It features interesting combinations of shrub and herbaceous planting for both sun and shade, together with courtyard areas around a collection of 18th century estate buildings. There is a woodland area of mature trees at present undergoing planting with spring bulbs, shade plants and suitable shrubs. Partially suitable for wheelchairs.

Tel: John and Agnes Peacocke for appt. 028 4461 2766

Groups of at least 6 preferred but not essential.

MAY– AUGUST

“Glenkeen”, 12 Dunevly Road, Portaferry, BT22 1NB.

From Newtownards take the A20 main Newtownards toPortaferry Road. Approximately 6.5 miles from Kircubbin turn left into Dunevly Road (opposite Lough Cowey Lake sign) No. 12 is just over one mile on the left at a U bend. From Portaferry take A20 road towards Newtownards.Dunevly Roadis just over 2 miles on the right. This is a 12 year old, informal, half acre garden with a variety of interesting plants. The delightfully colourful garden includes soft fruits and vegetables and is wildlife friendly with bee hives. Woodturning studio. Doll’s houses. Local crafts for sale. Refreshments available duringCreativePeninsulaweek.

Groups limited to 15 people.

Open 4 – 11 August 201310.00am to 4.00pmduringCreativePeninsulaWeek.

Telephone Ann and Mike Miall for appt. 028 4277 2418

MAY- END AUGUST

The Old Mill House, 47 Craigdarragh Road, Helen’s Bay, BT 19 1UB.

This third of an acre garden with a rich history was open under theUlsterGardensScheme many years ago and is currently undergoing sympathetic restoration. Originally on the site of a a 19th Century scutch mill it was laid out in shallow terraces in them 1930’s and includes a sunken pond area. The garden is characterised by a wonderful collection of varied and interesting mature specimens that have benefitted from the sheltered aspect the site provides. Recent work has endeavoured to open areas that had become overgrown through time whilst maintaining the intimate and intriguing layout that this garden has to offer any visitor. Maximum 8 visitors.

Email Adam McMurray for appt. email: aamcmurray@hotmail.co.uk

APRIL – OCTOBER

LONDONDERRY

‘Hampstead Hall’, 40 Culmore Road, Londonderry, BT48 7RS.

Follow the signs for the city centre after crossing theFoyleBridge. After double set of traffic lights take second right into Baronscourt. House is third driveway on the right. A fascinating city garden in the suburbs ofDerry. It is comprised of a Japanese style garden; an Italian garden; and a formal garden in front of an elegant Georgian House. A new area is under development. Described and illustrated in Shirley Lanigan’s ‘The 100 Best Gardens inIreland’. Partially suitable for wheelchairs.

Tel. Mr Liam Greene for appt. 028 7135 4807 (evenings)

MAY– END SEPTEMBER

28 Killyfaddy Road, Magherafelt, BT45 6EX.

Killyfaddy Roadis second left off theMoneymore Roadfrom the centre of Magherafelt. It is a mature garden of over one acre densely packed with a wide range of trees, herbaceous plants and a small hardy plant nursery. There is a pond and bog garden. Fruit and vegetables, greenhouse etc. It has featured inBBCTelevision’s ‘Secret Gardens’ and is described and illustrated in Shirley Lanigan’s ‘The 100BestGardensinIreland’. Partially suitable for wheelchairs.

Tel. Mrs A Buchanan for appt. 028 7963 2180

ALL YEAR

TYRONE

Fox Lodge, 20 Leckpatrick Road, Ballymagorry, Strabane, BT82 0AL.

The garden is close to Ballymagorry, three miles from Strabane, ten miles fromLondonderryon the main A5. Coming from Strabane, turn right on toLeckpatrick Roadat the top of the hill after Ballymagorry. The garden is a quarter of a mile from the main road. A two acre garden with mixed plantings suitable for the soil conditions. Woodland plants, peat beds, a scree area, a large heather garden, linked pools with a bog garden are all in informal settings. From early April, when there are swathes of daffodils in bloom, this is a garden to wander through leisurely and enjoy.

Tel. Mr & Mrs B Mooney for appt. 028 7188 2442

APRIL – JULY

Tattykeel House, Doogary Road, Omagh, BT79 0BN.

Tattykeel House is approx. 2.5 miles from Omagh on the south side of the A5 Omagh toBallygawley Road. There is a sign at the entrance gate. A country garden of approx. 1.5 acres created over a 25 year period, planted with conifers, shrubs, roses and perennials. There is a sheltered seating area, a Japanese influenced area, interesting features and a collection of well grown climbers on the house.

The garden was featured on the BBC television series ‘Greenmount Gardens’. Mrs Ward runs a very interesting craft studio at the house. Partially suitable for wheelchairs.